The Easter festivities.....

Ava is heading to Cali on Thursday to spend Easter there with her Dad and sisters, so we had some fun on Saturday. Easter egg hunt with Katie and cousins, then coloring eggs (an interesting experience for sure), Ryan humored the kids and hid the eggs once and then they were on their own, and of course I made some yummy treats. I didn't get my mojo for sugar cookies so we settled for chocolate dipped rice krispy treats. Less work and I didn't feel like my figure could take on a weekend of sugar cookies right now. I was beat last night, but I have to remember that even though days like that wear me out they are limited and that one day I will definitely miss it! Pictures are in no order because I was lazy, I can admit it.....

Ava's eggs...
I love this, she had sooooo much fun! Oh to be 5 again
Sista's.... I could not survive without mine! I needed some laughs desperately and we definitely had a few this weekend
works of art in progress
I even made one. Luka needed some help ;)
Me and my not so little baby
Checking out the goods
I got to help Luka while Katie was in charge of pictures. Have I ever mentioned just how much I love this little guy? Well, I do. He even gave me real kisses this weekend (he gives very limited kisses, it makes them extra special)
Getting ready for the hunt!

Well, that is the weekend recap. I am feeling a little blue tonight...... My last spring break is over. I don't feel ready to get back to life tomorrow. I have kind of a lot to do to wrap up the semester, and then there is the looming fact that I have to actually look for a job if I want one. I have been in denial and it is time to snap out of it, and get my booty in gear and make something happen. I know I can do it, but I am not feeling very inspired about much right now as far as a career is concerned. I just want to keep being the Mom. We went to meet Sharon's grandsons tonight. They are precious. There is nothing sweeter than a newborn baby. I loved holding them, but it made my heartache. Oh, the bitter sweetness of life.

Just Us

Just a picture of me and my cute girl today. Isn't her skirt so cute? Thanks to auntie Katie for making it for her :)

Proof of Growth

Ava and our Easter bunny 3 years ago..... The thing is bigger than she is! I miss those cute chubby cheeks.....

And today......

FREEBIES!

This is all the free stuff that made its way back to my house in the past month........
Isn't it awesome? I had several goals I wanted to accomplish in 2010 and found it easier to combine several into one big one: WASTE LESS (time, money, food, energy, etc....). I started following some money saving blogs (you can find two of them here and here) and trying to catch on to the whole coupon game thing, and this was my result. Lots of free stuff, and this is just the stuff I brought home free, not including other items that I got kick butt prices on.
Pictured above:
8 bars Olay soap = 5.50
3 Olay body washes = 16.50
1 Olay body lotion = 8.24
1 bottle Herbel Essence hairspray = 2.99
1 bottle Cover Girl foundation = 7.48
1 bottle Windex = 3.24
8 light bulbs = 4.00
4 boxes Kellogs cereal = 10.00
1 bottle Tide Stain Release = 6.99
2 bottles Listerine Smart Rinse = 8.98
1 travel size Degree deoderant = .97
1 bottle Excedrine = 5.99
1 bottle Vaseline Intensive Care gel = 4.49
3 bags cocunut M&M's = 1.50
2 Glad candles = 5.00
2 packages Oreo cookies = 6.38
2 gallons Milk = 4.00
2 Old Navy tanks tops = 4.98
2 pairs Old Navy flip flops = 5.00
1 10 dollar smiths card = 10.00
1 Digiorno pizza = 2.50

Grand Total of: $122.23

In addition to these savings I have also accumulated $70 in Target gift cards. If you haven't started hitting up the $5 Target card sales, you should. I think I am going to save up through out the year and use the card for Christmas $$$$. Some of the groceries I used my Smith rewards to get free but had some good coupons so it stretched the money a little further. I had mail in rebates for some of the stuff, coupons that were just for out right free products, and some that were buy one item get another item free. The Old Navy stuff was free with a coupon I had for making previous purchases with an Old Navy credit card and then finding some clearance sales to stretch the money further.
Some of the stuff I would have never bought due to higher prices, but with coupons and sales they were free, so why not?
(Becca: those oreos are for your eating enjoyment this weekend :))

The lastest.....

I had a HOT date last night.......

It may have even included a few whip cream kisses, but I loved them.....

Is he not the cutest boy EVER..... I heart him
We were supervised by this crazy person.......
And these two cutie pies....... Is my third nephew not the cutest guy! I heart him too.....
I got some new art work in my house as well........ It was not my happiest moment, but still kind of funny. I wish I knew what inspired the desire to just write her name on the wall. Aren't kids supposed to out grow the need to write on walls after the age of 2?

School is going well. Can you believe that I will be graduating in just two short months? Me either. The count down is on for MAY 7TH. It is going to be an awesome day for my little family. Still trying to figure out how to get out of public crying for this one.

Too early for dessert? Maybe. But not too early to wake up to how much I was loved.

I am teaching a lesson tomorrow on communication skills. I found this story and loved it, so I thought I would share. It really made me think about how important it is to take the time to actually talk to the people we love the most. Relationships can grow so much through sharing a simple bowl of ice cream and having a conversation with someone. There is no better way to show someone we love them than to share moments like the one told in this story.
During my senior year in high school, I realized that I wouldn’t be seeing my family very much. With homecoming activities, honors classes, and my job, the hours I spent at home were few and far between. In the mornings I would kneel with the family for prayer. Then with a quick amen and hugs all around, I’d rush out the door to the bus. A foil-covered dinner would greet me each evening when I arrived home late. The rest of the family was asleep, so a textbook propped up against my glass of milk was my only company as I ate.
Later, I’d tiptoe upstairs and whisper good night to my sleeping parents. Mama would prop up a little on her elbow, "How was your day?"
"Fine." The standard answer, but one they accepted.
I’d feel my way down the hall into the dark bedroom where my five other sisters slept. I always made sure I kissed them each on their cheeks and whispered, "I love you." I wonder if my words ever entered their dreams. Then, setting my alarm clock, I’d say my prayers and crawl into bed.
Life continued like this for several months. I was just too busy.
Then one morning I was awakened by a flashlight shining directly into my eyes. Startled and peering past the bright beam, I was surprised to see my Papa clad in pajamas and robe with a big grin on his face.
"What time is it?" I asked, yawning.
"4:00 A.M.," said Papa, his face never losing the grin.
"You’re kidding. Is something wrong?"
"No," he said, "follow me."
I crawled out of bed and sleepily followed him downstairs. As I rounded the corner, I was surprised to see the living room light on and a small table pulled up to the couch. On the table were two dishes of ice cream with chocolate cookies stuck in the top. It looked very inviting.
"What’s this?" I asked incredulously.
"Have a seat," Papa said. He took me over to the couch and sat me down. "All right, let’s talk."
"Papa, you’re kidding. No one gets up just to talk and eat ice cream at this hour."
"I know, but I haven’t seen you for a while, and I wanted to know how things are going in your life." He hugged me and handed me some ice cream.
As we ate, we talked, really talked, for the first time in many weeks. Papa wanted to know about everything: How’s school? Work? Grades? Are you okay for money? Do you have a boyfriend? Are you healthy? How are you doing spiritually?
One by one I answered his questions, told him my concerns, and asked for advice. My heart thrived on the love I felt from him. With 10 other children in the family, how could he possibly care so much about my life? But he did. Momentarily all the bills, work, Church callings, and the interests of a dozen other people he had to care for were forgotten. He was concerned about me. On that couch, side by side, giggling, laughing, and sharing the deepest feelings and thoughts within us, we passed the early morning hours. We talked long after the ice cream was gone.
It has been many years since that morning. I don’t live at home anymore, and now it’s normal not to see Papa or the family for a few weeks or months. But that four o’clock morning is engraved on my soul, a memory sweeter than ice cream. That morning I really knew someone cared—my father.
Many times since then, when life gets rough, I have been awake at 4:00 A.M., wishing for someone to talk to, wishing for someone who cared enough to ask me those questions. Papa cannot drive the many miles to shine a flashlight in my face. And most people are too practical to serve up ice cream at four in the morning.
However, even when my papa isn’t there, I know from his example of another Father who also watches over his daughters and his sons. A Father who is willing to listen about school, about problems, about life; one who knows us so well that He can see into and feel our hearts; a Father who understands perfectly the world we are facing, our fears and hopes, and asks all the right questions.
That morning reminds me of Heavenly Father, a Father who is omniscient and omnipresent. This Father, too, is always willing to talk, no matter what time it is. And that’s even better than 4:00 A.M. ice cream.

Happy Valentines Day!

I thought it would be fun to share this quite picture Katie and I took of the kids on Cooper and Ava's first Valentines Day. It took some patience and time to get Cooper to sit still, Ava to not slump over, and Savannah to hold the sign so we could actually ready it. It makes me smile just thinking about it. How did these three precious kiddos grow so fast?

Yum! Yummy! Yummy!

I made way to many sugar cookies yesterday. I don't know what I was thinking but I made a double batch and by the end of the project I was wondering what in the world I was thinking. But seriously, my sugar cookies are the one thing I can actually feel some pride over when it comes to having any skills in the kitchen. I am getting better, but I can only be so ambitious when it comes to cooking for myself and Miss Ava. I took some cookies over to Katie's and my cookies were a hit with Luka. Katie and I were just talking away when I hear Luka say "yum, yum, yummy!" and then he just put his face right down into the cookie for another bite. It was so funny! Man I love that little guy :)

Yes, they really are that good!

A Saturday well spent....

Yesterday we went up to Heber and went sledding with the Robinson family (aka Katie). It was actually my first time sledding! I am sure you are now wondering where I have been my whole life, but what can I say? I have just never done it. It was so much fun! Cold and wet, but fun. Ava wasn't a huge fan......

As you can see by the look on her face (also notice me laughing my butt of in the back) after her first time down the hill. She didn't go again until the very last run. In fact she didn't even want me to go again. She can be so protective of me sometimes! In fact on one of the runs Ryan thought it would be fun to have everyone get out of the sled and then push me down this really steep part. It wasn't too bad, I did run into a tree, and if I hadn't been worried about how I was going to climb back up I would have actually enjoyed the ride. But as I was sliding down the hill I could hear Ava screaming and crying for me. Poor girl was worried about me. Ava's fear did wear off by the end of the day and she went down one last time with Ryan and I. At the end she yelled "wow, that was crazy fun". She has asked me several times when we are going to go sledding again. Here are a few more pictures......

Ground Hog Day and Taco Sandwiches

Funny story. Last year on ground hog day Ava got in the car very excited about a puppet she had made at preschool that day and even more excited to tell me the story about the puppet. She went on to tell me that her puppet was a "bear hog" and how he comes out to see if he can see his shadow and well you all know the ground hog thing. I could not stop laughing because she went on and on about "bear hogs" and was just so excited. I tried a few times to correct her, but she just couldn't get it straight. It was a crack up! For some reason I remembered this in the shower this morning. I can't wait to see if she comes home today talking about ground hogs or if they will remain "bear hogs" for one more year. And if you must know I am secretly hoping for the "bear hog" story to be the one she tells me.
As far as the taco sandwich part of the story..... Yesterday at dinner time Ava comes into the kitchen and declares that she doesn't want me to make her dinner because she wants to make her own sandwich. She gets out a "quesadilla" or what the rest of us call a tortilla, and proceeds to make a taco sandwich. The ingredients: tortilla, torn in half, whip cream aka sour cream on both pieces, then top with lettuce, place on on top of the . This was completely her own creation, I have never ever prepared this type of meal for her. Delicious to her (she ate two) and quite unappealing to me. She was very proud with her creation and I was happy to let her explore (once I got over the fact that she was making a mess on my just swept and mopped kitchen floor).



It is hard to see in from this picture cause it isn't quite big enough on the blog, but she has sour cream on the tip of her nose in this picture.
Man I love my girl!

For Becca......

Because I miss her and I know this will make her laugh. Love you Doobie

Lazy? I think not......

Women do not have to sacrifice personhood if they are mothers. They do not have to sacrifice motherhood in order to be persons. Liberation was meant to expand women's opportunities, not to limit them. The self-esteem that has been found in new pursuits can also be found in mothering. -Elaine Heffner

I randomly came across this quote the other night and love it. This morning I was feeling lazy for having spent and hour and a half just cuddling on the couch with Ava. There are a ton of things I need to get done today, so I was feeling guilty for "wasting time". But then I remembered that my days of cuddling with her this way are becoming limited. I will be working again soon, she is growing so fast, she will be in school before I know it, and sadly enough she might out grow wanting to be held like that. So, I am going to take advantage of every opportunity to cuddle her, read books to her, play go fish with her, tuck her in at night, make all her meals, answer her questions, and tell her I love her with kisses on her cheeks, because soon enough she will out grow all of those things. I am going to enjoy being a mother, because it really is the best thing I will ever be and the best thing I could ever do with my life. It is a central part of my "personhood".

Five years ago......

The fact that it has been five years since I moved to good old Utah has been weighing heavily on my mind the last few weeks. It has become the way that I measure time. Like I have a life before five years ago and then the life I have now. I feel like things have almost come full circle with that huge, drastic, life changing move. I didn't have much of a plan, didn't know what would happen with my life, didn't have money or a job, didn't really even have a place to live that I could call "home". All I knew is that my life needed to change, and in a BIG way. And that is has. I can't even describe how excited I am about walking across that stage and getting my degree. I don't even know how I am going to do it without crying and making a fool of myself. It isn't even the happiness of graduating, but more the feeling that I am not a failure after all and that I have managed to beat the odds given to me in my situation. I also think it is cool that Ava will remember the event. It just makes it that much more special to me. It hasn't been the easiest road to travel, and I have definitely not done it alone, but seriously, looking back I have been the HAPPIEST I have ever been in my life. EVER. All though there have been hard days, and hard choices, and lots of hard work, it has all been worth it. The other night I was sitting in my apartment and looked around and thought, wow, who would have ever thought? I have been blessed beyond even my own comprehension. This single Mom thing has definitely been harder than I ever imagined it would be. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but honestly I am comforted daily in knowing that things will keep working out if I do what I know is right and keep on keeping on. I can't believe Ava is growing up so fast. She doesn't even have any baby look left. She is so smart, well adjusted, out spoken, inquisitive, funny, loving, sassy, and the list can go on and on. But really, she never ceases to amaze me. She wants me to be a better person and I am a better person because I am her Mom. Life is truly good! Here's to the next five years...... can't wait to see where they take me :)

My week.....

My Dad and Nan gave me some money for Christmas. There was really nothing that I was really really wanting at the time so I decided to put the money aside and wait for something to come up. Well, I randomly came across a super cute leather chair on Overstock.com. It was on a pretty sale and I had a 10% off coupon so I bought it! I was so excited for it to come and it came way faster than I expected it to. I had to wrestle it out of the box (embarrassingly enough I even broke a sweat) and even managed to put the chair together all by myself. Brad and Sharon gave me a tool set for Christmas that came in quite handy too. I love the chair! Like seriously LOVE it. It just ties my living room together and just makes everything look so much better. It was exactly what I didn't know I've been wanting. Super Awesome! Thanks Dad and Nan :)


Ava got home Tuesday night. She was due in at 10:30pm but due to the crazy weather conditions in southern California she didn't get in until 12:00AM. That made for a very tired me and a very tired Ava. So tired in fact that I let her just crawl into be with me when we got home. I did make sure to tell Ava that sleeping with me would not be a daily thing, but for late nights and special occasions we could bend the rules ;) Ava got to spend tons of time with her cousins this week, which she loved. Katie and Ryan helped me out twice this week with watching Ava so I could go to New Beginnings on Wednesday night and then I have a class on Thursday nights (Katie and Ryan will be watching Ava every week while I got to school, for which I am VERY thankful for). Ava and I watched the kiddos on Friday after noon and then she got to go over again today while Katie and I had a girls lunch out to celebrate our good friends birthday. Ava had a rough day on Friday! She got huge scratch on her face, slammed her finger in the door and took off a good chunk of skin and then to end the day she ran into Savannah's bedroom door and now has a pretty good black eye. Poor girl :(


Friday night we went to my friend Lyndsy's for game night and I seriously had so much fun. I re-learned how to play a super fun card game, hand and foot. We also played a game called the game of things. It was so much fun and at one point I laughed so hard I peed my pants just a little! Don't judge, I have the smallest bladder of anyone you have ever met, hadn't gone to the bathroom in a record 2 hours and I have birthed a child. I also went to school and started my internship, more to come on that later! '
Whew I am tired. Ava snapped this picture of me tonight....

As of late.......

Just a few big and small things that have been going on in my world lately.....

Ava is now sleeping in her own bed! Yes, she is five, what can I say? I haven't really minded sharing my bed with her, but alas I was ready to take my space back. People have given me the business about letting her sleep with me for so long, but whatever. I'm the Mom and I can do things the way I want, so there.

Ava took her second solo flight to Cali last night. I always look forward to my "break" but then I always end up missing her with in half a day or so. There is a perfect song lyric that sums up how I feel when she is gone.... Ain't no sunshine when she's gone.

I started my last semester!!!! It is going to be a breeze. Let's hope finding a job is just has breezy.

I spent some of my Christmas $$ this week and sometime in the next 6 weeks an awesome black leather chair will find a new home in my living room.

I went to a bar tonight to see a comedy show with a friend and the strangest thing happened. I felt some what out of place. Never would have thought that would happen to me, but it did. Strange.

I am back on Weight Watchers due to 20 pounds mysteriously taking up residence on my body over the last 6 months. Not cool. In fact this chubbiness is making me crabby, so I am declaring war on it.

My wii fit age is 45. Ummmm..... pathetic. I am living in a body that is so out of shape that according to the wii I all ready know physically what it feels like to be 45. The sad thing is is that I am missing out on the knowledge of knowing what it feels like to live in the body of a 28 year old. This must change.

I moved to Utah 5 years ago as of this month. I can't believe it has been so long. I didn't have much of plan when I moved. I just new that my life needed a drastic change so I jumped off the cliff....... There really are no adequate words to describe the miracles that have been taking place in my life since taking that giant leap of faith.

The last month I have grown a new appreciation of unanswered prayers. Mostly thankful to have peace of mind that things have worked out just as they should have. Unanswered prayers are definitely gifts from God, but really, in my eyes, the greatest gift he gives us is the feeling of peace after the storm calms and all is silent. The moment when in your own way you come to know that all is well and as it should be. Peace and acceptance are the real gift.

It was two years ago that I quit my job as an assistant general manager at Jamb Juice. Wow, time flies.

When Ava was walking into preschool one day last week she stopped to wave and blow me a kiss. My heart ached a little knowing that all too soon I will be back to working full time and missing those small moments with her that I love so much. The last two years of being the closest to a stay at home mother as I will ever come have been a precious and irreplaceable gift to me. I will cherish them always.

I read this quote on a blog I read everyday and think that it pretty much sums up a lot of what I have been thinking lately........

"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are." Enough said.

What is Christmas?

Christmas is the holiday we celebrate from December 1st- December 25th.
Christmas is going to the Christmas tree lot with Brad and Sharon to pick out the "perfect tree" and then decorating it
Christmas is listening to the Oak Ridge Boys and Kenny and Dolly Christmas CD's non-stop
Christmas is going to temple square to marvel at the beauty of the temple grounds covered in lights and making memories with the beautiful young women I love so much

Christmas is finishing finals, then breathing a huge sigh of relief
Christmas is shopping, and feeling excited about finding "the perfect" gift for the ones you love
Christmas is making temple pictures with Katie and discovering my mad staple gun skills
Christmas is shoveling snow
Christmas is taking Ava to see Santa Clause and seeing the excitement in her eyes while she talks to "the fat man"
Christmas is Katie doing 80% of my present wrapping :)
Christmas is finally getting ALL my decorations up the week before the actual day
Christmas is opening presents, breakfast for dinner and of course an Aggie game with my Dad and Nan

Christmas is taking Ava to see Princess and the Frog, twice
Christmas is Ava singing "redolph" and telling me and Sharon not to bust up
Christmas is the Young Women doing the 12 days of Christmas for me
Christmas is eating and eating and then eating some more.... the orange rolls were definitely a high light
Christmas is planning menus
Christmas is driving through town to see all the beautiful lights
Christmas is driving to Logan in a crazy snow storm, seeing my grandpa, cousins, aunts and uncles, missing my Grandma, and getting stuck in Logan due to crazy snow storm
Christmas is drinking hot chocolate
Christmas is Luka eating so much candy that he puked and then immediately going right for the box of See's chocolates

Christmas is making sugar cookies for the kids to decorate and for the big girls to eat :)
Christmas is playing Trains and What Where You Thinking
Christmas is trying to guess who the alien in the room is
Christmas is seeing my cute Grandpa Harris three times, oh how I love that man
Christmas is talking to Tricia for hours at a time
Christmas is hot peppermint baths, warm fuzzy socks and my sexy gray bathrobe
Christmas is getting to see Becca freak out about her hair not being straight enough
Christmas is spending tons of time with my sisters
Christmas is getting a magic key for Santa
Christmas is the kids acting out the nativity and then sharing their talents with everyone
Christmas is leaving cookies and milk out for Santa
Christmas is a new camera, UGGS, cash, the opportunity to make a memory with Ava in 2010, new books, cold stone cards, new dishes, the cutest new watch, a Jewelry Tree.... and more!
Christmas is discovering that I need a massaging eye mask

Christmas is a new scooter, games, art supplies, a new doll bed, a piano and lessons, play doh, doll clothes, new movies, books, new clothes, barbie and hot air balloon carriage....

Christmas is getting to spend the holiday with my Mom for the first time in six years
Christmas is Ava telling Brad to "turn on his engine and get over here"
Christmas is Brad and Ava being..... well, Brad and Ava
Christmas is Ava declaring her favorite Christmas song Hard Candy Christmas by Dolly Parton
Christmas is giving and receiving
Christmas is seeing the sparkle of excitement and magic in Ava's eyes
Christmas is strengthening our relationships with the people we love most in the world
Christmas is growing in my appreciation for my Savior Jesus Christ, his birth, his life, his example,and his unconditional love.

I am thankful for all that i have been blessed with. Christmas was busy, fun, and practically perfect in every way.